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| One Year of Onika L. Dainty: Over 43,000 Views, Real Stories, Real Growth |
The Post I’ve Dreamed of Writing
One year ago, I pressed publish on my first blog post with a mix of fear and hope. Today, I sit here in awe: over 43,000 views in 12 months. That number represents more than traffic. It means reach, resonance, and community.
This space was never about numbers, it was about honesty, about putting lived experience with bipolar disorder on the page and trusting that someone, somewhere, might feel less alone. Along the way, I’ve written through highs, lows, and all the in-between spaces of recovery.
The Personal Wins: Living the Dream of Writing
For years, I dreamed of being a writer. This blog made that dream real. Weekly practice gave me courage to tell the truth, even when it felt risky. Vulnerability became a ritual, not a performance, and self-trust slowly replaced self-doubt.
Every time I published, even on the toughest days, I met a truer version of myself. And in doing so, I also get to lead by example, showing my two nieces that you can follow your dreams, even when the path is complicated by mental health struggles.
Readers’ Favourites: The Posts That Traveled Farthest
Some pieces traveled farther than I ever imagined:
- The Impact of Blogging on Mental Health: Woman With Bipolar Disorder Shares Her Lived Experience - This post resonated because it wove lived expertise with practical hope.
- The Role of Gratitude in Recovery: Sharing Stories - Readers responded deeply to community-driven reflections on gratitude as a daily practice.
- Access to Mental Healthcare: Challenges Faced by Women with Bipolar Disorder - Naming systemic barriers sparked conversation and connection I hadn’t anticipated.
- Life Lessons Series - This ongoing series of reflections has become a hub of dialogue. Posts on validation, resilience, and self-love showed me that sharing “small” lessons can carry immense weight.
Together, these four pillars helped carry us to nearly 43K+ views—proof that honest, grounded stories matter.
The Professional Wins: From Blog to Real-World Impact
- Speaking engagements: I’ll never forget the first time I stood on stage and saw people leaning in to hear lived experience framed as knowledge.
- Course development: Partnering with a university to help shape curriculum affirmed the value of storytelling and empowered the next generation of social workers.
- My own course (coming soon): A space where lived experience meets structured learning for women navigating mental health recovery.
- Peer support at scale: From DMs to workshops, the ripple effect of one blog post has reached further than I could have imagined.
The Honest Lows: What Was Hard and How I Coped
It wasn’t all triumph. Creating while living with bipolar disorder meant navigating cycles, hospitalizations, and travel that disrupted consistency. Family duties and responsibilities demanded renegotiated boundaries. And sometimes, I had to pause projects or choose rest, learning that stepping back is also part of moving forward.
You may have noticed that this past month, September, and also in May, my posts were limited. That is because I have been moving through bipolar depression and hypomania, and I chose care over output. I will share more about this in future posts.
My Support Team
I have often spoken about the importance of having a team around you, and mine has been incredible. A special thank you to Grama Judie for everything she has done for me, for being my advocate when I cannot be my own. And to my family, who have been on this journey with me and stayed by my side, you know who you are.
Sidebar: My Relief Kit
- Journaling for grounding
- Walks in nature
- Music playlists for mood shifts
- Phone calls with trusted supports
- Sleep hygiene rituals
What I Learned About Myself in 365 Days
- I am both tender and capable.
- Vulnerability is a practice, not a personality.
- Consistency comes from systems and support, not willpower alone.
- My path is mine to honour, to pace gently, and to protect fiercely.
- Community multiplies courage.
What’s Next
- More consistent blogging with a sustainable cadence.
- Partnerships with local organizations and peer networks.
- Exploring a not-for-profit initiative to support those navigating housing, mental health, and women’s wellness.
- Courses and workshops that translate lived experience into structured tools for healing and resilience.
Gratitude Roll
To every reader, commenter, collaborator, and quiet supporter: thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your stories, and for letting my words walk alongside yours.
I’d love to hear from you: Which post spoke to you most? Explore my previous posts and the Life Lessons Series and let me know.
If a post has helped you, please share it with someone who needs lived-experience hope today. Together, we can keep this community growing.
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